A TEENAGER who subjected a sexual assault complainant to abuse and intimidation acted out of “misguided loyalty”, Teesside Crown Court heard. Scott Everington, 19, approached the complainant at a Redcar bus stop saying: “That’s the cow that’s getting our David into trouble.”

He was speaking about his cousin David Dawson, 21, of Blakey Close, Redcar, who is to stand trial accused of sexual assault.

Everington went on, “Why are you getting him into trouble? He’s done ****-all wrong,” and called her an abusive name. Later that day, on May 26, she encountered Everington again while shopping with her mother, said prosecutor Gale Gilchrist.

He demanded of her mother, “Is she getting David done or what?” and said he knew where the complainant lived. The woman felt embarrassed and intimidated, the court was told.

Everington, of Lingholme, Redcar, admitted a charge of witness intimidation. In police interview he accepted calling the woman a “grass” and said he was sticking up for his cousin.

He had no previous convictions, though he had a reprimand and two warnings.

Jonathan Walker, defending, said: “He concedes this is an extremely ugly offence.” But he said Everington did not intend to warp the criminal justice system as he had a limited understanding of it.

The judge, Recorder Michael Slater, told Everington: “Normally people who interfere with potential witnesses go straight to prison.” He gave Everington a community order with 100 hours’ unpaid work, and a £200 costs order.